Olympic torch to be auctioned for Mind

Posted Friday 6 July 2012

Kidlington’s Olympic torch runner, Verity Westgate, has announced she will sell her torch in auction to raise money for Mind, the mental health charity. Verity has supported Mind since the death of her close friend Emily, who tragically took her own life in 2006 after battling depression for many years.

Like Emily, Verity has struggled with depression several times in her life, but has been lucky enough to recover.  She credits exercise with being one of the key elements in ensuring that she remains well, making her role as Olympic torch bearer even more significant. In auctioning the torch after her leg of the relay route, Verity hopes to raise money for the charity she is extremely passionate about. Just as importantly, she hopes it will increase awareness of mental health issues and encourage others to speak out about their own experiences, so everyone can receive the help and support they need. 

The torch, which will be sold through eBay next week, is expected to go for over £2,000 pounds, adding to the £5,000 Verity has already raised for Mind over the last three years. In 2009 Verity took part in the Great North Swim, a year later she swam 3.8k in Dorney Lake and last year swam an impressive 10k, all to generate vital funds for Mind and raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental health.

Mind campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding of mental health. The money Verity raises will go towards helping 1 in 4 people, like Verity and Emily who experience a mental health problem every year.

Verity said: The benefits I’ve gained from exercise in boosting my own mental health have been incredible.

I am delighted to have been nominated to run with the Olympic torch and look forward to marking the event by auctioning the torch for Mind. To have the opportunity to raise money and awareness for a cause so close to my heart is a pleasure.

Head of fundraising at Mind, Caroline Corr, said:

We are extremely grateful for the remarkable work and fundraising that Verity has carried out for us over the last few years. It is great that she has taken this massive opportunity to raise awareness of the issues that surround mental health problems.

Verity has made a huge contribution to Mind and we wish her the very best of luck in her Olympic torch run.

Verity will be running with the Olympic torch in Kidlington on Monday 9 July at 4.50pm and after the event, she will be auctioning the Torch via Ebay to raise money for Mind.

Live locally? Please go along, cheer and show your support for Verity and for Mind.

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